Benefits of Peer Support

Recovery-oriented: Peer workers hold out hope to those they serve, partnering with them to envision and achieve a meaningful and purposeful life. Peer workers help those they serve identify and build on strengths and empower them to choose for themselves, recognizing that there are multiple pathways to recovery.

Person-centered: Peer recovery support services are always directed by the person participating in services. Peer recovery support is personalized to align with the specific hopes, goals, and preferences of the people served and to respond to specific needs the people has identified to the peer worker.

Voluntary: Peer workers are partners or consultants to those they serve. They do not dictate the types of services provided or the elements of recovery plans that will guide their work with peers. Participation in peer recovery support services is always contingent on peer choice.

Relationship-focused: The relationship between the peer worker and the peer is the foundation on which peer recovery support services and support are provided. The relationship between the peer worker and peer is respectful, trusting, empathetic, collaborative, and mutual.

Trauma-informed: Peer recovery support utilizes a strength-based framework that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety and creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.

Think about what you want to get from peer support services.

The Road Forward offers a variety of peer services.

Outcomes of Peer Support

Break your silence and reconnect with others. As survivors we often feel compelled to keep the abuse secret, but we find sharing with other survivors is a huge relief when we discover we are among others who know we are telling the truth, and who are travelling a similar path with many shared experiences.

Gain knowledge based on real evidence. Well intentioned advice can sometimes be unhelpful. Our Peer Workers are trained and experienced; our support is based on sound research.

Understand the impacts of sexual abuse. All our Peer workers are survivors ourselves. Our experiences won't be the same as yours, but we understand what you are going through. We won't judge you.

Increase your confidence and self-esteem. As survivors, we all need to separate ourselves from what was done to us. Through doing that, we can reclaim our identity and learn to stand tall.

Reduce self-destructive behaviours. Most survivors punish themselves in some way. Some are subtle, some are severe. As we learn to put the responsibility for what was done to us where it belongs, we are able to address self destructive behaviour and work towards eliminating it.

Increase your ability to trust. Sexual abuse is the ultimate betrayal of trust. The road to learning to trust again cannot be rushed, but among fellow survivors and with complete acceptance of who we are, peer support makes a real difference to that path.

Improve your relationships with friends and family. As we grow stronger ourselves, we learn to see those we care about as they are, vulnerable, imperfect and often confused, but also capable of love. We learn to be less judgmental and to be lees controlled by our own past, and start to rebuild healthy relationships.